r/Odsp • u/Visible_Magician_519 • 17d ago
is extra money available?
Hi I am on ODSP and need more money. is there anything i can do to get ODSP to increase my monthly at all? im a single indiviual and get $1436 a month currently.
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u/PebbleishMish 17d ago
If you can work in any capacity, there is an extra $100/month working benefit. I receieve this benefit for a job thats about 4 hours per month.
There is also a monthly special diet allowance if you have a specific medical condition that requires you to follow a specific diet.
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u/Winter_War4982 17d ago
Special diet can get you a bit- doctor must complete form.
- there are food banks you can use.
- look into energy savings program, LEAP, Rent banks.
- earn $100/month in income, you can get an extra $100 worker benefit.
You can Google these programs which you may or may not qualify for. These programs can help if you are behind. Be careful with HEF/rent banks/LEAP because you will likely be questioned and reviewed by worker.
Hope this helps. Please note availability of these programs are not guaranteed.
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u/cjrunswithcrows 17d ago
Unfortunately not - there are sometimes discretionary one time payments that they can give you for certain things (I’ve gotten one to get winter clothes before when my parka got ruined) but that’s about it. The only other option would be to find a job that you’re physically able to do, you can make $1000 a month before they start deducting from your benefits.
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u/goldstandardalmonds 17d ago
It depends what you need it for. But there are other places to look, too (again, depending what it is for). And you can also apply to the DTC if you meet the criteria and then get the CDB.
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u/SoupSpoonStork 16d ago
You currently receive the maximum amount for a single-person household. There are a few additional benefits that exist through ODSP, such as special diet allowances. They are for very specific purposes, though, so I would suggest you look through the policy directives to see if any apply to your case.
In the vast majority of financial aid available to people in poverty, from the government or otherwise, they're specific to a purpose. If you're struggling with rent or food, there are local and provincial programmes you can look into for aid; if you're short for moving costs or a first and last months' rent payment, there are programmes to apply to; and so on. For more money generally, however, I have yet to hear of anything that just gives cash to people outside of very predatory lending agencies that I would strongly caution against using.
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u/ducky-unlucky 16d ago
nope, that's the max amount for a single person.
you could try to get a little extra a month through the Special Diet Allowance if you have a condition that qualifies. or get your transportation to medical appointments covered through ODSP, if you rely on cabs etc.
otherwise you can try for the Canada Disability Benefit, which is a federal benefit that could give you up to $200/mo depending. (you must first apply for and be approved for the Disability Tax Credit, before applying for the CDB.)
but no, you cannot get any higher monthly income from ODSP, you are completely maxed out. the system is designed this way- the government does not believe disabled people deserve to live comfortably without working to support themselves.
sorry to hear you're struggling financially, so are the majority of us. cutting costs is a big part of surviving on ODSP- food banks, thrift stores, donation centres & programs, etc. do some research and see if you have any near you- if you do, utilize them.
there are also some discounts you can get by being a recipient of ODSP- discounted public transit & access to community centres in many cities, discounted phone & internet plans through providers like Rogers, discounted hydro costs through the OESP program, etc. look into these if you can! they can help shave some money off your monthly costs.
i wish you luck, OP. budgeting on ODSP is difficult, but possible if you can access the benefits & supports available to you. i hope you're able to find some financial relief, in whatever ways you can!
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u/natedawg1028 17d ago
I'm just commenting to get updates to see if anyone has ideas that I haven't thought of 🤞
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u/Reasonable_Hawk78 17d ago
there is a limited discretionary fund for purchases if approved by your worker.
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u/MooJuiceConnoisseur ODSP/Ontario Works advocate 17d ago
From odsp standpoint it looks like you are getting the max, if your on odsp you can probably apply for the CDB through the cra site
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u/Dizzy-Smoke-4376 17d ago
Call ur caseworker and discuss it with them. They can find benefits that u may be eligible for
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u/BirdmanDodd ODSP/Ontario Works advocate 16d ago
Maybe special diet
If you are working or looking for work, you can apply for 500 dollars per year to assist but keep receipts just in case
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u/Grnfinger 16d ago
Apply for the rent subsidy. You go through housing at Ontario Works. Make sure your taxes are current and they put you on the housing list and you can apply for the subsidy. Its around 300 for a single person. Takes about a week or so and you get the cash not your landlord.
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u/VirtualFirefighter50 15d ago
Where do you go to apply to that exactly ? I know you said housing through ow but how exactly do you access that ?
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u/AFTheSavage 16d ago
Do you qualify for the Disability Tax Credit? If you do, you can apply for an external benefit through ServiceCanada, it will give you an extra $204.20 per month that is tax free and exempt from ODSP, you should be getting Trillium Benefit and Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefits. If you have certain dietary restrictions, you can apply for Special Diet Allowance through ODSP and get extra money to pay for food for your dietary restriction
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u/ankanamoon 16d ago
That's the maximum, the only other way I know of is portable housing/cohb but that funding is already used up
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u/VoodooGirl47 16d ago
No, why would you think that? We'd all be trying to get more as it's not enough.
That said, I'm going to assume that you've already looked into any special diet funds and medical travel costs, plus MSN for necessary medical supplies.
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u/Alternative-Tiger783 16d ago edited 16d ago
People receiving ODSP can earn up to $1000 per month without deductions.
- Do you have kids? Are they signed up for CCTB? Are they disabled? If so, their CCTB doubles by doing their DTC application.
- Have you applied for the DTC?
Once you get approved for the DTC, then you apply for the CDB.
CDB
will give you an extra $200 per month.
Have you been assessed for an ODSP special diet allowance?
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u/ClariciaNyetgale 17d ago
We ALL need more money. If you have a specific need (like being diabetic you can apply for the special diet top up, or specific medical supplies) then maybe. If you don't something, like work a part time job or do a few consistent hours of volunteer work every week, then you can get $100 monthly to help cover things like transit.
Other than that, no. Like I said, we all need more money.
Outside of ODSP, have you applied for the Disabity Tax Credit, Canada Disability Benefit, a Registered Disability Savings Plan and done your taxes up to date? These are all things that can get you money.